Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has announced that he is retiring from professional football.
The 35-year-old represented a total of seven clubs during his career, including three in English football with the bulk of his outings coming for Chelsea.
The midfielder was also a long-standing member of the Nigeria team, earning 91 caps since making his debut as a teenager in 2005.
However, having been without a club for over 10 months, the veteran has made the decision to hang up his boots.
Mikel had made just six appearances for Norwegian side Lyn before he made the switch to Chelsea in 2006 after having a change of heart with regards to a transfer to Manchester United.
Chelsea ultimately had to reach a financial settlement with the Red Devils, their main Premier League rivals at the time, but they had no regrets about tempting Mikel into moving to Stamford Bridge.
Over a decade-long stint, Mikel made a total of 372 appearances in all competitions, becoming a cult hero for his defensive performances and lack of goal threat with just six strikes coming during his time in West London.
Mikel collected nine pieces of silverware, including two Premier League titles, but the crowning moment of his career came when he played a key role in Chelsea's Champions League success in 2012.
From the quarter-finals onwards, Mikel played every minute, culminating in featuring for the entirety of Chelsea's triumph over Bayern Munich in the final, which went to extra time and penalties.
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As well as winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013, Mikel represented his country at the 2014 World Cup and claimed an Olympic bronze medal in 2016.
After a two-year with China with Tianjin TEDA, Mikel returned to English football with Middlesbrough, playing a season at the Riverside Stadium before moving to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Having won the Turkish Cup, Mikel again accepted a contract at an English club, this time being Stoke City, and 39 appearances were made in the Championship during 2020-21.
Mikel last represented Kuwait FC, enduring an unsuccessful spell in the Middle East and being left without a club throughout 2022.
Darren Plant
